Google Pixel Dodgy Charging Port - Endure, Fix, Upgrade?

Adamc

I have an older Pixel 3a and the charging port is very unreliable. It's out of contract and not really worth anything - I'm not aware of any recycling or trade in offers. 

The cable feels loose when inside. The cable slips out quite easily and its position has to be just right or it won't charge (I must not knock it while on charge). 

I've noticed some improvement with regular cleaning (old toothbrush) but the problem is essentially still there.

I'm wondering if anyone has had this fixed or found a workaround? Despite the memory being full the phone still fits my needs and I've been managing with it like this for a long time. 

Fix, upgrade, or endure?

pramsay13

I've got an old 3a and found that has happened a few times over the years. It usually means something is stuck in the charging port and I see that you are cleaning but try a toothpick or similar as it's normally a build up of fluff that is hard to dislodge. 
Every time it has been like that I have managed to dislodge something that I couldn't see and everything is fine again. 

flaneurs_lobster

For want of a better term, how "handy" are you? I'd be tempted by a DIY fix kit for about £30 (including tools).

You would have to accept (natch) that you might well kill the thing so backing it up first is a good idea.

It's still a good phone and runs Android 12 so OK for banking apps. Well worth fixing. 

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Google+Pixel+3a+USB-C+Port+Replacement/124313

Estimated fix time in that guide is 20-40 minutes, this is utter tosh. There are 14 teeny screws !!!!!!! 

Worth replacing the battery at the same time?

Adamc

flaneurs_lobster said:

For want of a better term, how "handy" are you? I'd be tempted by a DIY fix kit for about £30 (including tools).

You would have to accept (natch) that you might well kill the thing so backing it up first is a good idea.

It's still a good phone and runs Android 12 so OK for banking apps. Well worth fixing. 

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Google+Pixel+3a+USB-C+Port+Replacement/124313

Estimated fix time in that guide is 20-40 minutes, this is utter tosh. There are 14 teeny screws !!!!!!! 

Worth replacing the battery at the same time?

I'm guessing it takes a lot longer then?

flaneurs_lobster

Adamc said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

For want of a better term, how "handy" are you? I'd be tempted by a DIY fix kit for about £30 (including tools).

You would have to accept (natch) that you might well kill the thing so backing it up first is a good idea.

It's still a good phone and runs Android 12 so OK for banking apps. Well worth fixing. 

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Google+Pixel+3a+USB-C+Port+Replacement/124313

Estimated fix time in that guide is 20-40 minutes, this is utter tosh. There are 14 teeny screws !!!!!!! 

Worth replacing the battery at the same time?

I'm guessing it takes a lot longer then?

I've only replaced a couple of phone batteries, I recon a couple of hours is more realistic for a newbie. Well worth the time before hand watching it being done on YouTube.

Thing I wish I'd bought that would make things easier - a magnetic mat you can draw on. Not worth it if you are never going to fix another gadget but useful otherwise.

frostysaver

First try giving the charging port a clean out with a wooden toothpick. Really dig in there, fluff gets impacted into the depths of the socket